OK Judges, Attorneys Ponder Growing Discontent with Judiciary

Increasing efforts to rein in judicial authority due to unpopular
decisions in some states was a key point of discussion at the 102nd
Oklahoma Bar Association annual meeting Thursday in Tulsa.

Harvard law professor Arthur Miller moderated a panel discussion
titled "The Third Branch of Government: Out on a Limb?"

Carter County District Judge Thomas Walker said such movements
are cyclical, presenting opportunities for officials, candidates and
the press to pick on the judiciary.

Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Arlene Johnson disagreed
that the latest effort is just another cycle. Johnson said the
newest wave has presented problems in other states.

"I think it's growing," she said.

Johnson said she does not see any threat aimed at how Oklahoma
judges render decisions, but some judges, particularly on the
federal bench, do feel threatened. She said some people who feel
"cheated by justice" feel the need to take action, and a few do.

Johnson also said judges become defined as activists if they hand
down opinions with which someone disagrees, a remark met with
applause.

Miller pointed out that the California Supreme Court was
essentially "wiped out" due to the perception that its justices were
soft on crime.

Oklahoma Supreme Court Vice Chief Justice James Winchester said
he is encouraged that judges and justices on retention ballots drew
67 percent to 68 percent of the vote.

The six-person panel agreed that many Oklahomans are unfamiliar
with their local judges, except in rural counties, and discussed
ways to educate voters.

Print this page

While we understand printed pages are helpful to our users, this limitation is necessary
to help protect our publishers' copyrighted material and prevent its unlawful distribution.
We are sorry for any inconvenience.